Representatives of persons with disabilities on Sunday urged the government to ensure stronger budgetary allocation and policy support for disability inclusion in the upcoming national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
The call came during a pre-budget consultation meeting held at the Finance Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, where leaders of disability rights organizations met with Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury to discuss the rights, welfare, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in national development planning.
The meeting, held at 3:30pm on Sunday, was also attended by Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain and State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin.
Speaking at the meeting, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government remains committed to ensuring the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
“This government is disability-friendly. We are giving the highest importance to issues concerning persons with disabilities,” he said.
The finance minister also stressed the importance of moving beyond a charity-based approach toward empowerment and self-reliance.
“We do not want to see persons with disabilities only through a charity model. We need to work more so that they can become self-reliant. Only providing allowances will not improve their quality of life,” he said.
He also said that each ministry would appoint a focal person on disability affairs to strengthen coordination and inclusion across government institutions.
Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain said the government has clear directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure equal opportunities and facilities for persons with disabilities.
“There are special instructions from the prime minister so that persons with disabilities receive all necessary opportunities and services,” he said.
State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said the government had already started working on several proposals raised during the consultation.
“The government has already initiated work on the proposals that have been submitted,” she said.
“We may not be able to fulfil all demands within a short time, but we will gradually work to ensure that ministry-based budgets properly allocate funds considering the needs of persons with disabilities,” the state minister added.
A 23-member delegation from Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) and the National Alliance of Disabled People's Organizations (NADPO) took part in the discussion.
The delegation was led by Md Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder and executive director of BPKS and president of NADPO.
According to participants, the discussion focused on ensuring meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream development activities and incorporating disability-inclusive measures into the national budget.
Representatives also emphasized the need for specific allocations, accessible public services, and policy-level commitments to improve the socio-economic condition of persons with disabilities across the country.
Among others present at the meeting were former government secretary and BPKS Adviser Abi Abdullah, NADPO Secretary General Md Iftekhar Hossain Sohel, and disability representatives from different districts.
The consultation was part of a series of pre-budget discussions organized by the Finance Division ahead of the formulation of the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
